Reflection for Wednesday August 6 Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord: Luke 9:28b-36

Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36

Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up a mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 

As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. 

Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

There’s a story about a man who deeply longed to experience a more intimate relationship with the Lord through prayer. Yet, every time he knelt in silence, his mind would wander. Thoughts unrelated to God would creep in, stealing his attention and disturbing the sacred space of his heart. 

No matter how much he tried to focus, he always found himself distracted. It became a painful pattern—every time he prayed, his thoughts pulled him away from the One he desired to encounter most. 

Perhaps this man’s struggle mirrors our own. We, too, yearn for deeper intimacy with God. We thirst for a prayer life that brings peace, clarity, and closeness with the Lord. But distractions—both external and internal—often cloud our hearts and minds. And so we ask: How can we truly enter into that sacred communion with God, where both mind and heart are in tune with Him? 

The Gospel reading today offers us a beautiful glimpse into this kind of prayer. Jesus, accompanied by Peter, James, and John, climbed a mountain to pray. For a brief moment, He withdrew from the noise and distractions of the world. He ascended to a place of solitude, a sacred height, to be alone with the Father. His heart and mind were completely attuned to God—free, focused, and full of love. 

Even His closest companions, overwhelmed by sleep, faded into the background, allowing Jesus to be completely immersed in divine communion. And then it happened—His face changed in appearance, and His garments became dazzling white. 

A holy radiance surrounded Him. It was the visible sign of a soul fully united with God. In that mountaintop silence, Jesus found what He longed for: profound intimacy with the Father through deep, unbroken prayer. 

This is an invitation for us, too. If we desire a deeper connection with the Lord, we must be willing to climb our own mountain of silence. We must set aside time, step away from distractions, and create a sacred space where we can meet God heart-to-heart. It is in the stillness—when we turn off the noise of the world and focus our full attention on Him—that we will encounter His presence most intimately. 

Silence is not empty. It is full of God. 

Let us not be afraid of this climb. Let us seek the face of God with the same desire Jesus had. Let us surrender our scattered thoughts, our burdens, and our distractions—and simply be still before the One who knows us, loves us, and waits for us. 

Do you make time each day to enter into prayerful silence before God? Have you found your own mountaintop, where your heart can rest in Him alone? — Marino J. Dasmarinas